FRISCO, Texas — As the coaching carousel turns in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys pursue interests in several candidates whom they believe would be a perfect fit as only the tenth head coach in the history in the organization, ninth in the Jerry Jones era, following the departure of Mike McCarthy after five seasons.
The existing list of possibilities is stacked with variety, from collegiate minds to professional coordinators to current and former NFL head coaches, and the Cowboys are off to the races in contacting several of them to set up potential interviews.
This article will serve as a tracker for you to keep an eye on the entire hiring process, based upon which candidates land an interview and at what stage in the process talks may be.
Bookmarking it would be a wise decision, as it will be updated often.
[Most recent update: 01/24/24]
Candidate: Deion Sanders
Current Position: Head coach, Colorado
Status: A conversation has reportedly taken place between the Cowboys and Sanders, but it was only preliminary, as the former Cowboy and resident Hall of Famer was the first of what will be several to receive a call. No formal interview has been scheduled, but Sanders confirmed the initial conversation by following it up with his commitment to, for now, stay put in Boulder. This exchange could have more twists and turns to come, though.
Candidate: Kellen Moore
Current Position: Offensive coordinator, Eagles
Status: Moore was expected to receive a call from the Cowboys, and the expected has occurred, by way of a formal request placed to the Eagles to speak with the young coordinator. Given the longstanding relationship from Moore's past as a backup quarterback, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in Dallas, Moore was recently asked about the pending call — noting he's focused on the current postseason in Philadelphia but leaving the door open for a conversation. And that's a dialogue that happened on Friday afternoon, with the interview having officially concluded and Saleh's to follow on Saturday morning.
Candidate: Robert Saleh
Current Position: Free agent
Status: There is interest from other teams in Saleh as well, the former heralded defensive coordinator of the 49ers having visited with San Francisco for a possible reunion in that role, but also with the Raiders and Jaguars for their vacancies at head coach. His parting of ways in New York leaves him a free agent able to negotiate with any team. Saleh and the Cowboys set an appointment to sit down in person for an interview on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 18, and that interview concluded one day following Moore's. A sitdown with Frazier is the next in line.
Candidate: Leslie Frazier
Current Position: Assistant head coach, Seahawks
Status: Frazier and now-former Cowboys' coordinator Mike Zimmer (his contract expired on Jan. 14) have a few things in common. They are both ex-head coaches of the Vikings, Zimmer being the successor to Leslie in Minnesota, and both cut their teeth as defensive minds in the NFL. A formal interview has reportedly been requested with Frazier, and the Seahawks can not deny the request due to it being for a possible promotion. Frazier himself accepted the interview that took place on Monday, Jan. 20. As with all other candidates, the process of what occurs next remains pending.
Candidate: Brian Schottenheimer
Current Position: Offensive coordinator, Cowboys
Status: It would make perfect sense that the Cowboys would have interest in what Schottenheimer might bring to the table as head coach, but seeing as his contract expired the same day as McCarthy's (Jan. 14), he is currently a free agent with all options available to him. The familiarity with Schottenheimer, as well as his pedigree — the son of the late, great Marty Schottenheimer — makes him an interesting one to keep an eye on as this search widens, and especially with Moore in the mix. And the latest news proves this all true, with Schottenheimer interviewing for the position on Tuesday afternoon. One day later, a second interview was conducted as the Cowboys look to hear more from Schottenheimer on what his plan might be for the team, an indication he is now a frontrunner to possibly land the job.
Candidate: Pete Carroll
Current Position: Advisor, Seahawks
Status: The longtime head coach of the Seahawks became their advisor in 2024, stepping down from his coaching post after early 15 seasons in the role in the Pacific Northwest. In that span, he won a Super Bowl and spawned Hall of Fame talent as well as propelled Dan Quinn to notoriety, and the Cowboys have had plenty of battles with Carroll's rosters so they know him well. That would explain why there seems to be mutual interest between the two, as Carroll seemingly has an itch to put a headset back on and, maybe, for a Cowboys' team that prefers proven experience over experimental potential. No formal interview was scheduled though, and he ultimately agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders instead.
